Luca raised an eyebrow slightly, the subtle movement breaking the stillness of his otherwise controlled expression. “Oriental Construction…” he repeated. The name lingered on his tongue for a fraction longer than necessary, not out of uncertainty—but recognition. Caterina noticed it immediately. The shift. Small. But unmistakable. Her gaze sharpened just slightly as she studied him, her instincts picking up on the change before he even spoke. “You’re familiar with it?” she asked. Her tone remained calm, professional, but there was a quiet awareness beneath it now. Luca’s lips curved faintly. Not into a smile. But something colder. “Very,” he said. His voice carried a different weight this time—lower, sharper, edged with something that hadn’t been present moments ago. “One of its main suppliers is Isabella’s company.” The name settled heavily in the room. Caterina paused. Not visibly for long. But long enough. Her mind adjusted instantly, recalculating the structure she

After Peter left, silence returned.The door closed behind him with a soft click, but the echo of his hurried footsteps lingered for a moment before fading completely. The room seemed to settle in his absence, the energy shifting from restless eagerness back to something colder, sharper—controlled.Luca remained seated.Unmoving.His gaze rested on the empty space where Peter had stood just moments ago, as if measuring the aftermath of the exchange, calculating outcomes that had already begun to unfold.Across from him, Caterina stood quietly, her posture straight, her expression composed. She didn’t rush to speak. She didn’t interrupt the silence.She waited. Because she understood. Luca would speak when he was ready. And when he did, it would matter.Seconds passed. Then—Luca shifted his gaze. From the door. To her. “Contact the best legal team,” he said.His voice was calm.But final.Caterina nodded once.“Understood.”There was no hesitation in her response, no need for clarifica

In truth, Alessandro had no real information.The confidence he had displayed moments ago—the smirk, the casual arrogance, the dismissive tone—was nothing more than a carefully constructed façade. Beneath it, there was nothing solid. No verified reports. No reliable sources. No real investigation.Just assumptions. And a failed attempt.“That bastard…” Alessandro muttered internally.His jaw tightened as he stepped out of Isabella’s office, the polished hallway reflecting his distorted expression in fragments across the glass walls.“Just a useless nobody.”But even as he said it to himself, there was irritation beneath the insult.Because the truth was—He had tried. And failed.The nurse he had bribed—the one loose thread he had hoped to pull—had already cut him off completely. His number blocked. His messages ignored. The money he had offered had gone nowhere, leaving him with nothing but fragments and guesses.It irritated him.Not because the information mattered— But because he h

A knock interrupted them.The sharp, controlled sound broke through the quiet tension lingering in the office, cutting off whatever thoughts had begun to take shape in Isabella’s mind. Her gaze shifted toward the door instantly, the softness that had briefly surfaced vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.“Come in,” she said.Her voice was steady again. Professional. Untouchable.The door opened, and an employee stepped in, posture straight, expression cautious. The atmosphere in the room was heavy enough to be felt, and he clearly understood he had walked into something he shouldn’t have—but couldn’t avoid.“Miss,” he said, keeping his tone respectful, “the Oriental Construction supplier conference is tonight.”Isabella didn’t react immediately. She simply looked at him, her eyes cool, as if the information was already beneath her attention.“I know,” she replied.The response was short.Dismissive.The employee nodded quickly.“Yes, Miss.”He didn’t linger. He didn’t ask anything

That evening, the conference hall buzzed with activity.Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow across polished marble floors, their light reflecting off glass panels and sleek metallic accents. The air carried the low hum of conversation—executives in tailored suits, representatives with carefully practiced smiles, assistants moving with quiet efficiency. Every corner of the hall spoke of wealth, influence, and silent competition.Deals would be hinted at here. Power would be measured here. Reputations would rise—Or fall.At the entrance, a subtle shift rippled through the crowd.Heads turned. Eyes followed. Isabella stepped into the hall.Her posture was flawless, her chin lifted just enough to signal authority without appearing arrogant. Her dress—elegant, sharp, deliberate—caught the light with every step. Beside her, Alessandro walked with practiced confidence, his expression relaxed, almost amused.Their hands were intertwined. Not casually. Not accidentally. Deliberately. A stat